Hyundai Previews Autonomous EV Parking Tech

Greg Hyde

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7th January 2019

Hyundai Group, including the Hyundai and Kia brands, has developed technology it claims enables wireless electric vehicle charging and automated parking.

The Automated Valet Parking System (AVPS) purportedly allows the driver to order their EV to charge using their smartphone. When the car receives this order, it drives itself to the nearest wireless charging station. Once it is fully charged, it can supposedly detect the nearest unoccupied parking space and drive itself there or return to its driver if they order it to do so via the AVPS app.

The automakers say “continuous communication” between drivers, EVs charging stations, and parking spaces will make this possible. Their stated target market for the tech is “drivers who are faced with an overcrowding of both parking and charging locations as EV numbers grow steadily”. This comes despite anecdotal evidence that there is anything but a surplus of charging stations and indicators of a downturn in EV adoption.

Hyundai says it expects Level 4 AVs to go on sale in 2025 and is planning on launching the AVPS commercially at that time. It is also planning on launching Level 3-and-below AVs in smart cities in 2021 and Level 5 AVs before 2030.